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How to Make an Air Bubble Vortex

Air bubble vortexes are bubbles in the core of a liquid vortex. They form a ring shape. This ring of air spins through the water. The faster the bubble ring spins, the more developed the vortex becomes. The physics behind air bubble vortex rings is part of the theory of fluid dynamics. You can see it demonstrated in an experiment at home in just a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

2 Two Liter Soda Bottles
Tape
Water
Dish Soap
Food Coloring

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the outer labels from two 2-liter soda bottles. Using soap and water, scrub the glue from the bottles. Remove the caps from the bottles and set side by side. One of the bottles will be filled with air to create a pressure vacuum so the vortex can form.
- 2
  Fill one of the soda bottles 3/4 of the way with water. Add two drops of dish soap. Add three drops of food coloring, any color will do. This will make it easier to see the vortex form. Take the empty 2-liter bottle and turn it upside down and place it on top of the other filled bottle. Both necks should be touching.
- 3
  Tape the bottle necks together, one on top of the other, to make it airtight. Shake the bottle. The dish soap will bubble. Turn the bottle with water in it upside down. A small trickle of water will escape into the second empty bottle.
- 4
  Swirl the containers in a clockwise motion. The bottles have to be swirled fast to get the optimum effect. The air from the second empty bottle on the bottom will rise up. A vortex is created. Bubbles on the top of the water-filled bottle will be sucked into it and stay there until the bottle completely drains. The swirling of the water makes a vortex by pushing the water to the sides of the bottle. The bubbles are sucked into the vortex and stay at the bottom until the full bottle of water drains.

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